SDCC 08: Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles

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Death comes to a regular cast member.

By Travis Fickett

Sarah Connor Chronicles made a triumphant return to San Diego Comic-Con on Saturday. The series only got to air nine episodes and then there was some doubt as to whether or not it would get a second season after the writers' strike. It did get that second season, and the show has added some cast members and increased its budget in order to hit the ground running. Creator Josh Friedman moderated the panel that included cast members Summer Glau, Thomas Dekker, Lena Headey, Richard T. Jones, and new regulars Shirley Manson, Garret Dillahunt and Brian Austin Green.

They opened with a clip that revealed Manson as some sort of corporate executive, clad in power suits and a feminine take on Michael Douglas's haircut in Wall Street. It's unclear as of yet how she will fit in with Sarah and the others – but it seems they will be at cross purposes. The rest of the clip featured a lot of action including a pretty fantastic car crash that drew some gasps from the audience. The show looks to be coming back on a grander scale, with lots of stories to tell.

It also appears that Agent Ellison and Cromartie (Dillahunt) join forces in some way – whether it's in just an episode or not isn't clear. But the preview scenes hinted at an interested dynamic between these two characters. And – to no one's surprise – Cameron survived the car explosion that seemed to claim her last season. However, she's heavily damaged and appears to be somewhat "glitchy."

In the panel, producer John Wirth somewhat awkwardly revealed that a character up on the panel will be dying this season. The cast was rather surprised at this revelation – as none of them had been told this before. The whispering began as the actors discussed amongst themselves who they thought it would be and how it would happen, etc. The jokes continued through the panel as to who would die and why and how.

Thomas Dekker and Lena Headey

Some other character revelations included an evolution of John Connor. Not only will Friedman be "taking John away" from Sarah, but Dekker talked about how he's happy to be able to start growing John into the savior of the world he's supposed to be. The character won't continue to "hide behind his hair," the way he did in season one.

Derek Reese continues to "represent the future war," Friedman said. "Derek's biggest task is learning how to fit in and survive the present," he added. Green wanted to thank everyone who both hated the fact he was cast and then grew to embrace the character. "It's because of you that I'm still here," he said.

Shirley Manson talked about the fact that she was rather terrified when she began on the show. Sarah Connor is her first acting gig, and the cast is filled with experienced actors. She added, "I feel like I've got a new band, but they're younger and better looking."